The brainchild of Andrew Jones, Farmyard in St Benedicts Street is a “bistronomy” style eatery – “a marriage of a relaxed bistro experience with the same top-quality produce and bold, vibrant flavours as top gastronomic establishments, but without the fuss”.
 
Reared in Reepham and schooled in Norwich, Mr Jones trained in London under Michelin-starred chefs such as Richard Corrigan and Claude Bosi. His dream has always been to return “home” and work with the bountiful local produce Norfolk has to offer.
 
“Why would I want to be anywhere else in the world when I could be in Norfolk surrounded by my real food heroes – the farmers and producers,” he said. “They’re so close by that I can speak to them directly and handpick what’s coming into the kitchen that week.”
 
The mix-and-match menu allows guests to create their own main course. The meat or fish element comes without an accompaniment, while the extras are more developed standalone dishes that cover the full range of dietary requirements; they also work as tapas for vegetarians or sharing plates for the whole table.
 
Mr Jones moved back to his home town of Reepham two years ago with his wife and two children; his daughter starts at Reepham Primary School next September.
 
They live in an old farmhouse and he can often be found walking the local lanes, baby strapped to his back and foraging for the delights of the countryside to cook for his family.
 
His menu at Farmyard will include organic vegetables from the Eves Hill Veg Co in Booton and, when in season, pheasant and other game from Kempstone Manor Farm in Litcham, supplied by his brother-in-law and key Farmyard investor Nigel Bertram.
 
Lunch at Farmyard is served from 12–3 pm Tuesday to Saturday, and dinner 6–9 pm Tuesday to Thursday and 6–10 pm Friday and Saturday.
 

• Farmyard Restaurant, 23 St Benedicts Street, Norwich NR2 4PF. Tel: 01603 733188. Email: info@farmyardrestaurant.com